Judith Slavens OBITUARY

Judith Slavens OBITUARY

Judith Sanders Slavens Born September 23, 1935, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Jack and Joecile (Garrison) Sanders and left us on August 27, 2024. Her father was a career railroad executive with Missouri Pacific Railroad. Judy, her parents, and brother, Jack Sanders, Jr. (Elaine) lived in Atchison, Kansas, and Denver, Colorado during World War II. They relocated to Houston, Texas in the late 1940s, where Judy graduated from Lamar High School and met her husband, David Shelby Dale, Sr.

As a Houston homemaker, Judy helped raise four children – Jack (Carol), Lucy (Al), Davy (Karin), and Hannah (Jay). She loved music, especially the cello, opera, musicals, and sang soprano in church choirs throughout her life.

In 1970, the family moved to Topeka, Kansas, and Judy completed her teaching degree at Washburn University. Even after their divorce, Judy and David continued to work closely together, raising their four children. Judy taught elementary school in Topeka, specializing in reading skills. Through Westminster Presbyterian Church, she met and married Ralph Slavens. Together, they moved back to Houston with Lucy, Davy, and Hannah, while Jack began his career and married Carol Wolf in Topeka.

Judy continued her education career, teaching 4th Grade at Wainwright Magnet School in northwest Houston. Following her divorce from Ralph, and at David Sr’s suggestion, Judy moved to Denver, Colorado, to be near Lucy and Hannah and their growing families.

Judy was a wonderful grandmother, always actively playing with and attending the various events of her nine grandchildren. She happily greeted customers at AAA Travel in Littleton until her retirement. In the same manner as she closed her letters to her children, it was “With Love and Pride” that she shined as the great-grandmother to nine great-grandchildren (and the tenth due in Nov).

Judy will always be remembered for her bright smile and laughter. She loved playing games with friends, from Bridge and tennis in her younger years, to Scrabble, Rummikub, and Canasta with her many friends at The Gardens at Columbine in Littleton.

The importance of teaching and education were high on her mind when she decided to donate her body to science.

Her family would like to thank the caring staff at The Gardens and the tender care provided by Bloom Hospice. If you would like to support Parkinson’s Disease research, please donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org.